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Thursday, August 31, 2017

Design and Development of 360 degree Virtual Tour platform for KAREZ at Bidar

Partner: DHF (Deccan Heritage Foundation)

About DHF

Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF) is a charitable organization conceived by likeminded individuals with a vision to promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of India’s Deccan region, including a historic water management site - Rehabilitation and Revitalization of Karez at Naubad, Bidar www.sonata-software.com

About the Program

Sonata expressed an interest in DECCAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION INDIA to spread the awareness of this project by creating a website that will help DHF showcase this Heritage site to the world. Sonata’s Application development Team has created this Digital experience for DHF as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Expected Outcome

Sonata has developed a 360-degree panoramic view virtual tour of Bidar Karez. This platform helps citizens and Tourists to know the relatively unknown complex historic water system, combination of subterranean tunnels, systems, pipes, pools, etc., that met the water needs of the historic city of Bidar. Originally a technology from ancient Persia known as ‘qanat/Karez’, this technology was adapted to suit the local climate and geology of Bidar. This platform enables tourists and historians to have a panoramic view of this ancient but spectacular water management system.

Bidriware, though considered a ‘dying craft’, is ably protected by vestigial craftsmen in the city. Thanks to their unremitting efforts, Hyderabad is the second highest producer of Bidriware, next only to Bidar – the place of its origin.

All they need is proper support, like in Karnataka, to keep this 14th century craft alive. However, the exquisite craft is almost on the verge of extinction in the twin cities due to lack of support from the government. Questions are also being raised about the quality of workmanship today compared to that of the past, non-availability of particular type of sand and rising costs of raw materials.

Items of Bidriware are an alloy of 90 per cent zinc and 10 per cent copper with inlaying of sliver. There is growing demand for Bidriware among foreigners and multinational companies; yet, its production has been on the decline.

Artisans lament that the Telangana government has turned a deaf ear to their woes, whereas the Karnataka government has been taking positive measures to save the centuries-old craft.

Briefing reporters after the meeting in Bengaluru, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said deputy commissioners have been directed to finalise the boundaries of the new taluks coming under their jurisdiction. DH file imageFive months after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced carving out of 49 new taluks in the state budget proposals for 2017-18, the state Cabinet on Monday finally gave its approval for the same.

Briefing reporters after the meeting in Bengaluru, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said deputy commissioners have been directed to finalise the boundaries of the new taluks coming under their jurisdiction. “We are ensuring that there is no ambiguity and all details are finalised before issuing the government order carving out the new taluks,” he said.

The first announcement to form new taluks was made by BJP leader Jagadish Shettar when he was the chief minister in 2013.

However, it did not materialise due to the cost factor. It is estimated that at least Rs 2 crore is required to form a new taluk. At present, there are 176 taluks spread over 30 districts in the state.

In another decision, the state Cabinet gave its approval for construction of super speciality hospitals on the premises of K R Hospital in Mysuru, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belagavi and Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi at a total cost of Rs 501 crore.

The Cabinet also approved the decision to provide ‘Nirmala kits’ consisting of uniforms, coconut oil and soaps from Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) to students of residential schools run by Backward Classes Welfare department at a cost of Rs 6.5 crore.